Anime is hands down one of the best mediums for storytelling and is superior compared to traditional movies in a number of ways, yet it also has its own distinct flair. Due to its simple aesthetics, many have categorized anime as part of the “super flat” artistic trend, but that’s just idiotic. I’ll prove it! Here are the five best anime movies on Netflix to stream this weekend.
Spirited Away (2001)
“Spirited Away” is the brainchild of Hayao Miyazaki, the genius hailed for creating masterpieces like “Princess Mononoke,” “Ponyo,” “The Wind Rises,” “The Cat Returns,” and more. This movie is a timeless masterpiece and puts the audience in the shoes of a cute little girl named Chihiro, who has embarked on a quest to save her family, who has been transformed into pigs. Chihiro must rescue her loved ones from the spirit realm after they made the fatal error of entering that domain by accident. Chihiro, our main character, isn’t even a teenager, yet she’s already a robust and fully-fledged character. In an effort to rescue her family, she accepts a job in a sauna owned by a witch called Yubaba. Surprisingly, I did not like the movie the first time I watched it. Eventually, however, after some time had passed, I decided to give the movie a second chance, and it quickly grew into one of my favourites. Perhaps my first distaste stemmed from the fact that the picture was very unconventional in comparison to the others I was so used to consuming.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
This is the second movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki on our list; however, it takes a much darker approach than “Spritted Way.” The film follows the adventures of Prince Ashitaka as he searches for a remedy for the sickness inflicted upon him by a devilish swine. While exploring, he becomes embroiled in a war involving an extraction settlement as well as the jungle’s wolf deities. San, the protagonist, is a human-hating girl nurtured by a pack of wolves who develops a soft spot for Ashitaka. Even though they are very close, the two can’t get sentimental since a conflict is imminent on the horizon. The movie has a powerful moral about environmental protection, which is a cliché topic but effective here. There are no clear antagonists; there are simply individuals who are all flawed in their own ways, which adds to the movie’s engrossing tale.
The Tale Of Princess Kaguya (2013)
The movie is inspired by renowned Japanese folklore, dubbed “The Story of the Bamboo Cutter,” in which a sterile and hardworking worker miraculously discovers a kid in the jungle and later finds wealth in exactly the same spot. The novel depicts how Kaguya, so named owing to her divine conception, matures rapidly like something of a stalk of bamboo, despite the efforts of her elderly parents to force her into the role of a royal monarch. This film has an entrancing appeal that is accurate when applied to well-known fables. To this day, I still consider this masterwork to be among my all-time favourite films. Listening to the heartbreaking drama is like soaking in the soothing and liberating atmosphere that the wilderness exudes as you take in the melodies of the birds and the breeze hitting the trees. It inspires me to discover the world’s natural wonders in their entirety, at least those that have not been spoiled yet by the human activity.
Your Name (2016)
This masterpiece is helmed by Makoto Shinkai, the genius behind the creation of “Suzume,” “The Garden of Words,” “The Place Promised in Our Early Days,” “Cross Road,” and more. A fun fact: this movie holds the accolade for the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Shockingly, this work of art received zero Oscar nominations in 2017. This is really unfortunate because it’s a wonderful movie, and those overseeing the award shows need to shift their focus to studios other than Disney and Pixar when it comes to animation features. Do not take this as a slight towards Pixar, but please consider checking out some other pictures built under the banner of other studios. Taki and Mitsuha are pupils in high school. As for where they call home, Mitsuha resides in the country, whereas Taki lives in the city. They eventually wind up exchanging bodies and experiencing each other’s lives for a single day. During this time, a mysterious meteor is set to enter Earth’s atmosphere.
Ponyo (2008)
“Ponyo” is out of this world, given that every single character is so well-written and presented. Superb animations and art helps to erase the borders between the film’s pedagogical goals and the real world, and I was blown away by how successfully the film translated into both. Although it takes a couple of detours, the narrative of this animation is still easily grasped by the small audience. All the ladies in Sosuke’s life—his schoolteacher, the girls who attempt to toy with him at preschool, the residents of the old folks’ house where his mom serves, and her spouse, who is constantly at sea—are there, leading him through life. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the beautiful fish he saves eventually becomes a cute young girl. The events that unfold next are no less impressive but also provide a visual and emotional treat.
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